The 1860s Michigan Thumb Town of Clifford

Michigan's thumb has plenty of small towns, ghost towns and historic villages. This is one of 'em.

Clifford is an out-of-the-way village residing in Lapeer County. The village's roots were planted in the early 1860's after would-be settlers stumbled across crossroads that would become the hub of town. The town was named after the first baby born in the area, Clifford Lyman.

By 1882, the town was prospering, thanks to the inclusion of two railroads that came through: the Port Huron & Northwestern Railroad and the Pontiac, Oxford & Port Austin Railroad. Clifford boasted three blacksmiths, depot, two drug stores, two elevators, furniture store, four general stores, grist mill, hardware store, two harness shops, two hotels, meat shop, millinery store, post office, two sawmills, two shoe shops, three wagon shops, and other businesses.

According to Clifford's web page, "The modern day village is much smaller than the original version.....we only boast a post office, a restaurant, a car wash, laundry mat, one factory, an exercise facility, a fire hall and the village hall. The school house is now a library with a room available for rent.....Only one of the elevators still stands, due to recent renovation."

It's a pleasant little drive-thru to make when you travel your next Michigan roadtrip...lots to see in Michigan's thumb!